OBJECTIVETo explore the values of vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) in the diagnosis of vestibular nerve impairment in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.

METHODSForty-two cases (84 ears) of diabetes mellitus patients and 42 cases (84 ears) normal subjects as the control group were enrolled from 2014 to 2015.Both the patients and normal subjects underwent conventional air-conducted ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potential (oVEMP) and cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential (cVEMP) in bilateral ears.The results were compared between the patients and normal subjects. A commercially available software package, SPSS19.0, was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTSIn 84 ears of the normal subjects, oVEMP was present in 70 ears, the educible rate was 83.3% (70/84). cVEMP was present in 74 ears, and the educible rate was 88.1% (74/84). In 84 ears of the diabetes mellitus patients, oVEMP was present in 49 ears, with the educible rate of 58.3% (49/84). cVEMP was present in 52 ears, with the educible rate of 61.9% (52/84). The educible rate in the control group was significantly higher than the diabetic group (oVEMP: χ(2)=12.71, P<0.05; cVEMP: χ(2)=15.37, P<0.05). In the diabetic group, the mean values of both oVEMP and cVEMP P1, N1 latencies were significantly longer when compared to the control group (P<0.05). No significantly statistical difference was found in oVEMP and cVEMP parameters (threshold, latency interval and amplitude) between groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSVestibular nerve was impaired in diabetes mellitus patients in some degree. VEMP examinations could be useful in the diagnosis of vestibular nerve impairment in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.